Skegness United 3, Market Rasen Town 1

UNITED kept pace with league leaders Cleethorpes at the weekend after a 3-1 win at home to Market Rasen.

A goal of the season contender from 16-year-old Jack Wightwick and another first-half strike from John Atkinson put United in the driving seat.

Rasen pulled one back before Andi Reeson settled the encounter, which also featured a double sending-off after a two-footed tackle.

United took the lead on 10 minutes with a goal of the season contender.

From a free kick 40 yards from goal, Andi Reeson played a disguised pass into the feet of the young Wightwick just outside the area.

His exquisite first touch took him away from one defender and then he turned a second inside out before cutting inside and hitting a curling shot from 25 yards that flew straight into the far top corner and left the keeper with no chance.

United increased their lead on 22 minutes with a great team goal.

After some nice movement the ball found Hallam, who slid a delightful through ball between the last defenders to John Atkinson. He outran the Rasen defence and placed the ball under the onrushing Christie for his first goal for the club.

Just on half time a two-footed tackle by Bennett on United’s Neil Thorpe resulted in Thorpe losing his cool and retaliating.

Once order was restored the referee had no option other than to dismiss both players. Thorpe later had to be taken to hospital for X-rays to determine the extent of the injury.

On 60 minutes, against the run of play, Rasen reduced the arrears when a Coupland free kick was knocked on by Williams for Scott Lowman to score from five yards at the far post.

United responded immediately and restored their two goal advantage within two minutes.

John Atkinson played the ball in to Andi Reeson 30 yards from goal. Man of the match Reeson then showed great skill to beat his marker before unleashing a thunderbolt from 25 yards that flew into the top left corner off the underside of the crossbar.

By now the game had developed into a bit of a midfield stalemate, but United had further chances to score, including one effort from Atkinson that was ruled out for off-side.

Manager Mark Hallam said: “We have scored three fantastic goals, each worthy of winning any game, so I’m sure the spectators went home happy.

“Young Jack’s goal was breathtaking and nothing seems to faze him. I’m really pleased for Reeson as well, and his stunning goal capped a fantastic all round performance from him.